1 Timothy 1:6-11: False Prophets and Teachers of the Law
2021-08-31
1 Timothy 1:6-7
Divine charity is a goal of the Law. However, we see there are those who attempt to become “teachers of the law” (1 Timothy 1:7). Their “teaching” is called “vain jangling,” a word used once in Scripture that is essentially tantamount to annoying noisy babble. “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1). The religious leaders in Jerusalem were into this activity, and they largely rejected Christ. To be moved from the true purpose of the law is to “have turned aside unto vain jangling” (1 Timothy 1:6).
1 Timothy 1:8-11
We learn from 1 Timothy 1:8-11 a purpose of the law: to lead sinners to the Savior. This is how we “use it lawfully” (1 Timothy 1:8). “The law is not made for a righteous man” (1 Timothy 1:9). Many other Scriptures show us this. The Spirit explicitly tells us “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). The vain janglers spend so much time seeking to be justified by the law. As a result, they have missed the entire point of Jesus Christ’s coming. The Law condemns, so that “all the world may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19). Likewise, we read that “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). Therefore, we see the legalist circumvents Christ and is therefore a heretic.
Returning to Paul’s personal life before his conversion, he stated that, “touching the righteousness which is in the law,” he was “blameless” (Philippians 3:6). Now there is a bold statement if there ever was one! He knew all the intricacies of the Law and was faithful to fulfill all of it. However, he knew that was not sufficient to be saved or be acceptable to God. On the contrary, he needed to be “found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Philippians 3:9). The standard is not the Law, but it is God’s righteousness, and you cannot attain to that except by being “found in him.”
The Law was made for sinners. He lists many different sins here: general lawlessness and sin, murderers, sexually immoral, kidnappers, and liars. Liars should always stand out because it condemns everyone! All these things and many more are “contrary to sound doctrine.” These things contrast with the “glorious gospel” but are also a way to lead people to the glorious Gospel:
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
The main purpose of the Law is to lead us to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The source of this “good news” is from the “blessed God,” who sent His Son Jesus. This gospel was entrusted to the apostle Paul, which will be discussed in the following verses.